Users Code of Conduct

Users Code of Conduct

Our Standards

We want a free, open, positive and welcoming environment. Remember the human; we're all here because we want to connect over a shared passion for retro gaming!

For forum threads and Discord channels be sure to keep on topic. In some channels you'll have more flexibility than others.

Examples of behavior that contributes to creating a positive environment include

• Using welcoming and inclusive language.
• Being respectful of differing viewpoints and experiences.
• Gracefully accepting constructive criticism.
• Focusing on what is best for the community.
• Showing empathy towards other community members.

Unacceptable social behavior

• Asking for or posting links to download sites where others could download illegal ROMs.
• Spamming message or attempting to vandalize Discord or the website by any means.
• Advertising products, services, or other Discord servers without approval.
• Bigotry: This includes racism, sexism, elitism; intolerance regarding others' nation, religion, sexual orientation, political beliefs, etc.
• Public or private harassment. Harassment on RetroAchievements is defined as systematic and/or continued actions to torment or demean someone in a way that would make a reasonable person conclude that RetroAchievements is not a safe platform to express their ideas (obviously, such ideas must not violate this Code of Conduct) or participate in the conversation, or fear for their safety.
• Defamation, as in making false statements about a person that injure their reputation.
• Threats of violence.
• Unwelcome sexual attention or advances towards others.
• Posting pornography, as in images or descriptions of erotic behavior intended to cause sexual excitement.
• Posting gruesome or gory images intended to cause disgust.
• Publishing others' private information, such as a photos of them or their physical or electronic address, without explicit permission.

These behaviors may result in the offender getting muted, kicked or banned from the Discord server and/or RetroAchievements.org

Social behavior strongly frowned upon

• Heated public arguments.
• Excessive shitposting.
• Personal attacks. As in making abusive remarks on or relating to one's person instead of providing evidence when examining another person's claims or comments.

The moderators will step in to cool things down if arguments start getting out of hand. In these cases moderators may remove comments, temporarily mute users, ask users to talk in private, or take other actions they feel necessary to pacify the situation. Keep it chill, and we'll all have a much better time.

Explicitly Allowed

• Reasoned criticism and questioning of leadership decisions.
• Reasoned criticism of developer's creations.

When making a public criticism stay civil by keeping to the facts and your opinions without making personal attacks. Not following this will result in moderation.

For the sanity and morale of the community try to keep your criticism encouraging, constructive and optimistic.

Cheating

Check the Global Leaderboard and Achievement Hunting Rules.

Accounts that are proven to be cheating will be set to "Untracked" and in some cases they can be banned.

If you suspect others of cheating, do not make a public accusation. Share your evidence with the mods/admin and wait at least a week for careful review. Cheat accusations can be extremely disruptive to the community and are often unfounded or do not have strong enough evidence to warrant punishment. If after time you feel the evidence you have brought has not been handled fairly, you can post about it, but it must be grounded in strong evidence-based fact. No blank accusations, hunches or evidence with reasonable doubt are acceptable.

Reporting

Instances of unacceptable behavior or cheating may be reported by contacting the RetroAchievements mods team at Discord Server (users with blue names). You can also contact all active admin/mods by sending a Private Message to the RAdmin user in the official website.

Complaints will be reviewed, investigated and responded to as fitting to the circumstances.

Admin/Mods Responsibilities

Admin/Mods are responsible for keeping this community functioning well. They must uphold this Code of Conduct and the Achievement Developer's one on the website and on the Discord server. Their duties on these two fronts are detailed below.

On the website

• Within the rules of the Code of Conduct, remove or reject
  • comments,
  • achievements,
  • badges,
  • forum posts,
  • any other contributions that are not aligned to this Code of Conduct.
• "Untrack" users found to be cheating.
• Warn, ban temporarily or permanently members who are violating this Code of Conduct excessively, a warning being given first in most cases.
  • When the inappropriate behavior is not very clear, the staff will discuss among themselves what action should be taken.

On Discord

• Provide help when it's asked for, preferably showing a doc page with the answer (so people can start to use RADocs to find the answers they need).
• Keep channels on topic, but with a degree of looseness in the general channels, as to allow for the natural flow of conversation.
• Verify users on Discord.
• Ensure user's nickname on Discord match the website's one. Accepted exception: DiscordNick (RA_Username).
• Manage roles, like:
  • Give jr-dev role to those who show interest on create achievements (and at least have read some basic docs)
  • Give developer for those who have Developer status on the website.
  • Manage AotW Winner role.
  • Manage the *-news roles.
• In cases of those who are violating this Code of Conduct excessively, admin/mods will use their judgement to kick those users from the server, a warning being given first in most cases. If they come back and keep the bad behavior, most likely they'll be banned.
  • When the inappropriate behavior is not very clear, the staff will discuss among themselves what action should be taken.

Admin/mods who do not follow or enforce the Code of Conduct in good faith may face temporary or permanent repercussions as determined by other members of the project's leadership.